Both players lost money, but Becker came out ahead for losing less
This year’s most talked-about proposition bet, involving two of the game’s rising talents, concluded with a victory for Jeremy Becker, albeit a win defined by financial loss rather than gain. The bet, a crossbook challenge orchestrated with the support of poker veterans Daniel Negreanu and Matt Berkey, saw both competitors ending the summer with lighter wallets.
For those that bet on the @Jbex2417 vs @LandonTice matchup this summer, if you bet on Jeremy Becker you won… because he lost less.
One event left, Landon is out, Jeremy is still in with 3x the average
If you bet the crossbook it’s at about $50k and counting
Both clearly…
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) July 18, 2024
The premise of the wager was simple yet bold: Becker and his opponent, both recognized for their sharp skills and competitive spirit, would crossbook their World Series of Poker (WSOP) performances. The rules dictated that the player with the lesser loss would be deemed the winner. As the summer heated up, so did the action at the tables, with both players diving deep into the heart of tournament poker.
Becker’s journey through the WSOP was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Over the course of 90 entries, his performance saw him part with $17,137. Despite the losses, Becker managed to clinch a notable victory, pocketing $23,395 in his most lucrative event. His adversary, on the other hand, faced a steeper descent. With 86 entries, Tice’s endeavors resulted in a loss of $88,879, although he too experienced a moment of triumph with a single win of $29,353.
The outcome of the bet, while financially unfavorable for both parties, crowned Becker as the winner. His smaller deficit, in the grand scheme of the wager, was enough to secure the title. This result, however, serves as a poignant reminder of the volatile nature of tournament poker. The WSOP, a battleground for the elite, often sends players home with lighter pockets, underscoring the reality that the path to poker stardom is fraught with downswings, punctuated by the occasional, yet crucial, upswing.
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.
